MKS Instruments (NASDAQ:MKSI) Shares Gap Up After Strong Earnings

MKS Instruments, Inc. (NASDAQ:MKSI - Get Free Report)'s share price gapped up before the market opened on Thursday following a stronger than expected earnings report. The stock had previously closed at $103.29, but opened at $117.75. MKS Instruments shares last traded at $115.28, with a volume of 211,454 shares traded.

The scientific and technical instruments company reported $1.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.42 by $0.30. MKS Instruments had a return on equity of 14.91% and a net margin of 0.25%. The business had revenue of $896.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $874.29 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.46 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was down 3.9% on a year-over-year basis.

MKS Instruments Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 6th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be given a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 25th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.76%. MKS Instruments's payout ratio is currently 800.00%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MKSI has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Benchmark reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $142.00 price objective on shares of MKS Instruments in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of MKS Instruments from $120.00 to $110.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 3rd. Mizuho upgraded MKS Instruments to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, October 7th. Citigroup downgraded MKS Instruments from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $145.00 to $120.00 in a research note on Monday, September 16th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on MKS Instruments in a research report on Tuesday, September 3rd. They set a "neutral" rating and a $129.00 target price on the stock. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $141.09.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other MKS Instruments news, EVP John Edward Williams sold 1,800 shares of MKS Instruments stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $118.71, for a total value of $213,678.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 13 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,543.23. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Elizabeth Mora sold 275 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.97, for a total transaction of $31,891.75. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 17,934 shares in the company, valued at $2,079,805.98. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP John Edward Williams sold 1,800 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $118.71, for a total transaction of $213,678.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 13 shares in the company, valued at $1,543.23. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 2,325 shares of company stock valued at $272,795 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.51% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On MKS Instruments

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC purchased a new position in shares of MKS Instruments in the 1st quarter worth about $25,000. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its holdings in MKS Instruments by 196.9% in the third quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 288 shares of the scientific and technical instruments company's stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 191 shares during the period. Key Financial Inc acquired a new position in MKS Instruments during the second quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in MKS Instruments during the second quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, BOKF NA acquired a new stake in shares of MKS Instruments in the second quarter worth $39,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 99.79% of the company's stock.

MKS Instruments Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 3.58, a quick ratio of 2.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.16. The firm has a market cap of $7.78 billion, a PE ratio of 1,051.09, a P/E/G ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 1.63. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $106.72 and its 200 day moving average price is $118.99.

MKS Instruments Company Profile

MKS Instruments, Inc provides foundational technology solutions to semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial applications in the United States, Germany, China, South Korea, and internationally. It operates through Vacuum Solutions Division (VSD), Photonics Solutions Division (PSD), and Material Solutions Division (MSD) segments.